Authoritarian Use of Religion to Delegitimize and Securitize the Opposition

This article examines the use of religion by an authoritarian ruling party to delegitimize political opposition through securitization. The case study presented is AKP in Turkey, which initially promised desecuritize Kurdish issue co-opt but eventually resorted demonization narratives and repressive policies secular Turkish state; however, addition labeling as terrorists, deployed legitimize its on religious grounds. shows that not legitimizing (via desecuritization), delegitimizing securitization) has been main tool party. finding needs be tested other contexts cases. Additionally, since this paper only focuses narrative AKP’s delegitimization, further research needed measure efficacy impact.